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General Woodworking Safety

Photo: Steve Scott Make your own push sticks, and use them to keep your hands clear of bits and blades. Not that the woodworker is wearing short sleeves and safety glasses, and that this tablesaw also has a splitter behind the blade, which is critical for preventing dangerous kickback. By the way, the blade cover has been removed for clarity, but it should have been left on the saw for this cut.

Photo: Steve Scott The jointer is another tool where you want push sticks, or push blocks in this case. Glue rubber to the bottom of them for a better grip on the workpiece, and put a small cleat on one of them to grab the back of the board securely.

Photo: Tom Begnal When possible, leave all guards and blade covers on your power tools. This is easier than ever, as today’s guards are much more convenient.

For starters, here’s what we say in every issue of Fine Woodworking magazine:
“Woodworking is inherently dangerous. Using hand or power tools improperly or ignoring standard safety practices can lead to permanent injury or even death. Don’t perform operations you see here (or elsewhere) until you’re certain they are safe for you. If something about an operation doesn’t feel right, find another way. We want you to enjoy the craft, so please keep safety foremost in your mind.”

Beyond that, some tools are more dangerous than others, but all of them have the potential to do damage. Here are 10 great rules of thumb: